Jets v Jaguars Predictions: Engram can lead Jacksonville to victory

Tom Collins

22 December 2022

Thursday Night Football has serious playoff implications - with just three weeks remaining of the regular season, will the New York Jets or Jacksonville Jaguars take the step towards their target?

New York heads into this home match-up with a 7-7 record and are currently positioned ninth - on the bubble - in the AFC playoff picture after three consecutive defeats. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8) pushed themselves up to tenth after a dramatic overtime success against the Cowboys.

Despite boasting a worse record, the Jaguars possess the momentum and will bid to continue their run towards a Wild Card spot as the Jets look to salvage something special. NFL tipster Tom Collins previews the hotly anticipated game.

Coming of age

Trevor Lawrence is finally showing the qualities that NFL scouts thought they saw during his collegiate career. The former Clemson quarterback, who was selected first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, only suffered two defeats in 36 games for the Tigers and threw 90 touchdowns passes in the process - many imagined him to be Tom Brady’s pocket-passing successor.

But the step up from college football to the NFL doesn’t always go without hitches, and Lawrence struggled in his rookie season at Jacksonville. He led them to a dismal 3-14 record and threw 17 interceptions alongside just 12 touchdown passes. Doubts about his mentality and latent talent came to the fore.

However, Lawrence is bouncing back in his sophomore year and has shone over the last two weeks in victories over the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. His numbers (24 touchdowns, seven interceptions) are right up there with the best - better than Brady this season, in fact - and he has provided the spark this offence needed to flourish. Jacksonville fans will be hoping he continues his progression.

Wilson worries

The New York Jets selected Zach Wilson second overall (one pick behind Lawrence!) in 2021 and, much like Jacksonville, they had to endure a tumultuous first season as ‘Gang Green’ failed to make an impact.

While Lawrence has succeeded this term, the former BYU signal caller has gone in the other direction. Zach Wilson’s statistics read a lot better - he is 5-3 as a starter this season - but they are rather misleading and his decision-making and lack of production led to head coach Robert Saleh switching to four-year pro Mike White.

But White (rib injury) was forced to miss last week’s game against the Detroit Lions, which the Jets eventually lost 20-12, and he hasn’t been cleared for Thursday Night Football either. Wilson will once again take the reins and look to make an impression - though he will need something spectacular to get back into the good books.

So, what’s the verdict?

The Jets have lost three of their last four games and they are starting an inconsistent and erratic quarterback, while the Jacksonville Jaguars come into this match-up after beating two playoff-bound rivals thanks to offensive brilliance. With the market offering similar odds for each team, I have to side with the Jacksonville Jaguars straight up.

If the Jags are to win this game, they need to continue their scoring production. Evan Engram has developed into one of Trevor Lawrence’s favourite targets over the last three weeks (24 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns) and, given he’s a former Giant, he will be desperate to get on the scoreboard at MetLife Stadium.